Creative Director CV: Pharrell Williams
From N.E.R.D. to Louis Vuitton, a brief overview of the artist’s inspiring resume.
The Beginnings
Pharrell Williams was born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After meeting future production partner Chad Hugo at a summer camp when they were 12, Williams became interested in keyboard and drums. The pair eventually formed a hip-hop and R&B band, then a production outfit called the Neptunes, joined by schoolmate Shay Haley when they became N.E.R.D.
N.E.R.D. would go on to become one of the most influential groups of the early 2000s, establishing Williams as a creative and cultural leader. His unique distillation of hip-hop style and luxury—for example, pairing T-shirts by cult skate brands such as Element with high-end brands and custom jewelry—had a major impact on the fashion landscape. By 2003, Williams had become enamored with Japanese aesthetics, particularly Harajuku streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and its founder: designer and DJ Nigo. Their friendship led to Billionaire Boys Club (BBC).
Williams’ fashion ventures continued throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He became known for trend-setting headgear, like when he swapped his usual trucker hats for an outsized Vivienne Westwood buffalo hat. From skate to punk rock to prep, Williams’ eclectic looks reflect the myriad scenes that also informed his music taste.
Williams established a long-term affiliation with adidas in 2014, lending his design language to iconic sneakers such as the Stan Smith. The partnership saw the creation of the NMD Hu, which became one of the era’s most definitive sneakers. He also went on to work with Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Moncler, among other brands.
Pharrell’s NMD Hu, or “Human Race,” line of sneakers, released with adidas in 2016, laid the groundwork for his product label Humanrace. Its offerings include everything from elevated basics to skincare.
In 2023, Louis Vuitton announced Williams as its new men’s creative director, succeeding Virgil Abloh. He had previously worked with the brand on and off since 2004.
Pharrell Williams at BBC
Billionaire Boys Club was established by Williams and Nigo in 2003. Using an astronaut logo designed by graphic design icon Sk8thing as a visual reference point, the label gained prominence for filtering streetwear archetypes through a high-fashion sensibility.
In addition to the main line, BBC has several sub-labels. These include Ice Cream, Bee Line (created with designer Mark McNairy) and Billionaire Girls Club. Collaborative partners include N.E.R.D, Pokémon, Reebok, NEIGHBORHOOD and Hidden NY.
Pharrell Williams With adidas
Williams officially partnered up with adidas in 2014.
His first collaborations with the German company included a Stan Smith pack and monochromatic Superstars. His biggest hit, however, were his NMD Hu, or “Human Race,” designs. The silhouette first released in yellow, followed by five more colors, in 2016. From there, the Hu expanded to a hiking collection, the Tennis Hu, cultural packs like the NMD Holi, and other new and regularly released colorways and styles.
Williams has also worked with the Three Stripes’ specialized sports categories, releasing matching jerseys for clubs like Arsenal, Real Madrid and Juventus through adidas Football, and designing the tennis outfit Alexander Zverev wore at the US Open.
Pharrell Williams With Humanrace
In 2020, Pharrell and former adidas global director Rachel Muscat co-founded Humanrace, a “wellbeing” product company. The label sells skincare, as well as adidas apparel and sneaker collaborations done under the Humanrace umbrella.
JOOPITER
Williams established JOOPITER, a digital-first auction house and content platform, in 2022. The effort kicked off with a 52-piece “Son of a Pharaoh” capsule comprising personal artifacts of Williams. Highlights included a gilded Sony PlayStation PSP and a Jacob & Co. N.E.R.D. Character Pendant Chain that sold for $2.184 million.
In 2023, JOOPITER announced an auction curated by Sarah Andelman, founder of the Parisian concept store colette and creative agency Just an Idea. The auction, dubbed “Just Phriends,” featured art and objects from notable friends in Williams’ universe, including KAWS and Daniel Arsham.
i am OTHER
i am OTHER is a record label and creative collective that serves as an umbrella entity for Williams’ activities in fashion, music and beyond. Described as a "cultural movement dedicated to Thinkers, Innovators and Outcasts,” associates include the music journalist and media personality Nardwuar (John Ruskin), who joined the project after impressing Williams in an interview.
Bionic Yarn
Williams is creative director and partner of Bionic Yarn. Founded by Tyson Toussant and Tim Coombs, the company makes sustainable textile yarn from recycled plastic waste. Williams has used the material in his creations for G-Star Raw, the denim brand he co-owns.
Cactus Plant Flea Market
Williams maintains a close affiliation with Cynthia Lu’s Cactus Plant Flea Market, having hired the designer in the PR department at Billionaire Boys Club. Lu later became Williams’ stylist and assistant, before launching the brand that he was one of the first to endorse.
Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton
Williams was announced as Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director in 2023. The appointment followed the untimely passing of Virgil Abloh. The two were friends and Abloh spoke on Williams’ OTHERtone podcast about the ideal candidate for such a position. “What I would be more impressed by is if the next candidate for a house, the next head designer, has this multidisciplinary background—comes from not a fashion school, and thinks in a different dimension. Let him get a shot,” said Abloh in an episode from 2021.
Williams’ first collection for Louis Vuitton debuted in June 2023 during Men's Fashion Week in Paris.
Pharrell Williams Collaborations
Chanel x Pharrell Williams
A long-term fan of Chanel, Williams famously customized his footwear with the brand’s interlocking C logo. He befriended designer Karl Lagerfeld, working with him on “Reincarnation,” a short film for Chanel’s Pre-Fall 2015 campaign, walking in a runway show during Paris Fashion Week and becoming the first man to ever star in a Chanel handbag campaign in 2017.
Nike x Pharrell Williams
While the multi-hyphenate is now known for his work with adidas, in 2004, he was invited to apply his creative talents to the Nike Dunk. The N.E.R.D. Dunk features a silver Swoosh and N.E.R.D logos at the heel and tongue.
BAPE x Pharrell Williams
Williams helped popularize Japanese brand BAPE in the West in the early 2000s. The brand’s 1ST CAMO hoodies were a hallmark of his wardrobe during this era.
Uniqlo x Pharrell Williams
Williams teamed up with Uniqlo during Nigo’s spell as Uniqlo UT’s creative director. The “i am OTHER” collection featured graphic T-shirts, caps, jackets and hoodies.
Moncler x Pharrell Williams
Williams’ association with Moncler stretches back to a 2009 capsule that featured Bionic Yarn materials and prints by Japanese artist Keita Sugiura. The Italian brand has continued to partner with him ever since through Moncler Genius. Williams has helped design skiwear, apparel and eyewear, and in 2022, celebrated the label’s 70th anniversary with his unique spin on the iconic Maya jacket.
Other Pharrell Williams Collaborations
Williams has also overseen smaller, one-off collaborations with various brands. These include Tiffany & Co., Richard Mille, Kiehl's and Comme des Garçons Parfums. He also curated an art show for Galerie Perrotin in Paris and created limited-edition macarons with high-end bakery Ladurée.
Pharrell Williams’ Signature Style
A fashion icon who has been in the public eye since the early 2000s, Williams’ signature style has taken on many iterations. Originally known for mixing luxury with streetwear, his sartorial evolution came to include more formal pieces. Tuxedos, in particular, have become a staple of Williams’ style. He often adds a touch of flamboyance through accessories or by wearing shorts instead of suit bottoms.
He is considered an early adopter of gender-neutral dressing, having worn many women’s pieces, most notably by Celine during designer Phoebe Philo’s reign. Mixed silhouettes, like oversized hoodies by Human Made or Humanrace paired with Chanel, are another signature of his.
Pharrell Williams FAQ
Who has Pharrell Williams worked with?
Pharrell Williams has worked with many brands and houses, including adidas, BAPE, BBC and Nike. Additionally, he is a long-term associate of Chanel, having befriended the late Karl Lagerfeld, and has worked closely with luxury brands like Moncler and Louis Vuitton. He worked on and off with the latter since 2004, before being appointed men’s creative director in 2023.
How to pronounce Pharrell Williams?
Pharrell’s first name is pronounced “fuh-rehl.”
Where did Pharrell Williams go to school?
Growing up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pharrell attended Princess Anne High School.
How did Pharrell Williams get into fashion?
Pharrell established his own brands, Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream, with Japanese streetwear icon Nigo in the early 2000s. He worked with Louis Vuitton in 2004 and 2008 before being named the house’s men’s creative director in 2023. He has also done projects with adidas, Moncler, Tiffany & Co. and Chanel.
What is Pharrell Williams famous for?
Pharrell is famous for his work in music and in fashion. In the past, Pharrell has noted, “Fashion and music is like time and space, you can’t have one without the other.”
What shoes did Pharrell Williams design?
Where to buy designs from Pharrell Williams?
You can buy designs by Pharrell on GOAT. Explore Pharrell items here.